Apple is gearing up to release the first beta of iOS 18.4, with major updates expected for Siri and Apple Intelligence features. According to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the developer beta will be available “fairly soon,” possibly between mid-next week and early the following week. Apple typically follows a pattern for beta releases, and past releases suggest that iOS 18.4 beta 1 could arrive in February.
Major Siri Enhancements
One of the most anticipated features in iOS 18.4 is the significant upgrade to Siri, particularly for devices that support Apple Intelligence. The update will introduce personal context understanding, which allows Siri to respond based on user habits and preferences. Additionally, on-screen awareness will enable Siri to interact more effectively with the content displayed on the device, while enhanced app control will make it easier to navigate and execute commands hands-free.
Apple is also expected to introduce a new AI-driven feature called Priority Notifications. This function will use artificial intelligence to automatically highlight important notifications, ensuring that users don’t miss crucial updates. With Apple’s ongoing push for smarter, AI-integrated features, this addition will help users manage their notifications more efficiently.
Expanded Language Support
In an effort to make Apple Intelligence more accessible worldwide, iOS 18.4 will expand its language support. Apple has confirmed that new languages, including Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese, will be supported. This update marks a significant step toward making AI-driven features available to a broader audience.
Apart from Siri improvements and AI enhancements, iOS 18.4 will introduce new emojis approved by the Unicode Consortium. Some of the new additions include a fingerprint, a tired face with bags under the eyes, a harp, a root vegetable, a leafless tree, a splatter, and a shovel. These new emojis add more variety for users looking to express themselves in creative ways. Apple is expected to release more details about the beta soon, keeping users informed on the latest developments.